Improvement in implements for picking up and carrying bricks



R. BRYDEN.

Implements for Picking up and Carrying Bricks.

Patented Nov. 26,1872.

w M i 4 m a 4M. PHOTO-LITHOGEAFH/C CQNYfOSEU/ NES FROG UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IMPROVEMENT IN HVHLEMENTS FOR PICKING UP AND CARRYING BRICKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 133,299, dated November 26, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Brennan Barman, of Medford, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a Machine for Picking up Partially-Dried Bricks and Garrying'them to the Hake, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing making part of this specification, in which- Figure lis a perspective view of my machine for picking up bricks, extended and ready for use. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same closed up to seize the bricks, which are represented in place. Fig. 3 is a transverse 'vertical section.

The operation of picking up partially-dried bricks and arranging them in piles previous to carrying them to the kiln, commonly called baking/Z has heretofore been performed by manual labor, two bricks being carried in each hand. This operation is, however, extremely laborious, the weight of the bricks and the extending of the fingers to grasp them soon tiring the hands so as to render them incapable of continuing the work; and where boys are employed but one brick can be carried in each hand.

My invention has for its object to overcome this difficulty; and consists in a machine provided with jaws attached to sliding frames operated by handles, whereby six or more bricks can be easily picked up at a time and carried to the desired point without tiring the hands, thus effecting a great saving of time and labor.

To enable others skilled in the art to understand and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the manner in which I have carried it out.

In the said drawing, A B represent two metallic frames so constructed as to slide one within the other, and to the endpf each of these frames are secured a plate or jaw, O, of wood or other suitable material, and a handle, D. Within the inner frame A is placed a narrow plate or center piece, E, of wood or other suitable material, which is held in place by metallic straps c d e riveted thereto, and serves to stiffen and strengthen the machine. The strap 0 passes around the frame A, and the strap 0 around the frame B,while the central strap d passes over both frames and is secured to a vertical piece, G, of wood or other suitable material, which forms the central jaw of the machine, and is permanently attached to the center piece E. These straps also serve as guides to steady and hold the frames together, and as they are not attached directly to the frames the latter are, consequently, free to slide back and forth, as required, to vary the distance between the jaws. each of the frames A B opposite to that to which the jaw O is attached is provided with vertical arms f, between which is secured a handle, H, and when the machine is extended, as seen in Fig. 1, these arms come into contact with the central strap d and prevent the frames from being separated from each other.

The machine having been extended, as seen in Fig. 1, by means of the handles D, is placed over the partially-dried bricks to be picked up and carried to the hake or pile where they are deposited previous to carrying them to the kiln. These bricks are usually in groups of six, as this number are generally deposited from one mold. The jaws O are then brought toward each other, and the central jaw G, by means of the handles D, which operation forces the bricks close together (three on each side of the jaw G) and causes them to be held firmly between the jaws, as seen in Fig. 2. The operator then grasps the two handles D H at each end of the machine, causing the jaws O to press tightly against the bricks; a purchase being thus afforded which avoids the necessity of forcing the outer handles toward each other with the arms, which would be inconvenient and fatiguing. The inner handles are placed somewhat below the outer handles, so that when grasped by the hands the ends of the frames to which the inner handles are attached will be slightly raised, which causes the jaws O to be inclined a little inward at the bottom in' order that they may the more offectually hold the bricks and prevent them be readily taken up, leaving the bricks as dc sired. If necessary, three bricks can be taken up between the central jaw G and one of the The end of jaws (J, or the machine can be made of such size as to take up more than six bricks, 1f desired. The central jaw might be dispensed.

with, but I prefer to use it, as it aifords additional holding-surface and also enables me to pick up a small number of bricks. Furthermore, this central jaw extends a little below the other jaws, the machine resting on its lower edge, which thus enables the jaws O to slide freely without touching or scraping the surface on which the bricks are laid to dry. If desired, the inner handles H may be omitted, the handles D being pivoted and provided with hooks to catch over a projection or projections on the other frame, so that in lifting the machine a leverage will be obtained to draw the jaws 0 toward each other. I prefer, however, the construction first described, as it is more simple and less liable to get out of order.

The use of the above-described machine does not tire out the hands, and with it a boy can perform more work than 'a man who carries the bricks directly in his hands as heretofore.

Claims.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The sliding frames A B with their jaws (J operated by handles D, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

2. I also claim the sliding frames A B with their jaws O, in combination with the handles D and H, constructed and operating substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. I also claim, in combination with the above, the central jaw G, operating substantially in the manner and for the purposeset forth.

4. I also claim the sliding frames A B with their jaws and handles, in combination with the center piece E and straps c d e, substantially as and for the purpose described.

Witness my hand this 13th day of September, A. D. 1872.

RICHARD BRYDEN.

In presence of- P. E. TEscHEMAoHER, W. J. CAMBRIDGE. 

